Chapter 25: Take the Fall
It was two painful days later before the doctors were able to give them the news that Steve was going to survive, provided nothing went unexpectedly wrong. However, they were not given long to revel in this good news, as barely an hour later, the TV in the waiting room announced that Schmidt's body had been found beneath the bridge. This led to Bucky having another panic attack in the hospital bathroom. Thor and Rhodey had gone after him to help calm him down and make sure he didn't try anything stupid.
"Tony?" Pietro said as they sat in the waiting room.
"Hmm?" Tony replied distractedly, frowning at the TV screen as the news channel made its report on Schmidt.
"Can I borrow your car for a little bit? It won't take long, I just need to... drop something off."
"Yeah, sure," said Tony.
He fished the keys out of his jeans pocket and tossed them over. Pietro caught them one-handed and stood up.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
Pietro left the hospital and went out to the SUV. It felt weird being in the driver's seat instead of piled in the back with all the Avengers. He adjusted the seat and the mirrors (Tony was slightly shorter than him) and started the engine. He drove for about ten minutes until he found a bridge that got very little traffic. He pulled over onto the shoulder and turned off the car, then hopped into the back. Tucked into the pocket in the back of the seat was the knife that had killed Schmidt, wrapped in a napkin. Pietro unwrapped it and got out of the car, glancing around. The bridge was practically deserted except for a couple of cars driving by. Not hesitating a moment, he threw the knife as far as he could off the bridge and into the river. Then he got back in the car and drove back to the hospital.
It took three weeks for Steve to recover and be let out of the hospital. It was a relief to have him back, both because everyone was glad that he was alright, and because he was the only one who could efficiently convince Bucky not to turn himself in to the police, something which he threatened to do nearly every day. It had been determined that Schmidt's death was officially a murder and the police were now looking for suspects, which put all the Avengers on edge.
"What happens when they decide we had something to do with it and search my car to find the knife that killed him in the back seat?" Tony asked one day.
Most of the Avengers were all sitting around at Stark Mansion; Steve and Thor were running late.
"They won't find it there. They won't find it ever, unless they get really really desperate," said Pietro.
"What did you do?" Wanda asked.
"I threw it in the river. The day they found Schmidt's body," Pietro replied. "It's unlikely they'd search the river, especially the part where I left it, and even if they found the knife, all traces of Schmidt's blood and Bucky's fingerprints would be long gone by then."
"That is actually genius," said Sam, impressed.
"No need to sound so surprised," said Pietro.
"Remind me never to piss you off, kid," said Tony. "I think you're runner-up for 'most likely to get away with murder'."
"Who's in first place?" Pietro asked.
"Natasha. Obviously."
Tony checked his watch and frowned.
"Where the hell are Steve and Thor?" he said. "It's not like them to be late."
"They must've gotten held up," Natasha said.
Just then, Thor arrived at last.
"Where's Steve?" Bucky asked.
"He's been arrested," Thor replied grimly.
"What?!"
"What happened?" Bruce asked.
"The police came by the house to ask some questions about Schmidt's death," said Thor. "He told them he did it. Said it was self-defense, that he was just trying to hold him off. They've taken him in for further questioning."
"Oh Christ..." Bucky said, sinking to the ground.
"He took the fall for Bucky..." said Natasha, sounding both awestruck and horrified.
"I always said he was the best out of all of us," Tony said. "But holy fuck, going to prison..."
"I have to turn myself in," said Bucky. "I can't let him do this. I can't let him go to prison for me."
"If he's claimed self-defense, he might not even go to jail. If you turn yourself in, you'll have a murder charge. You could be in there for life," said Rhodey.
"It's actually kinda brilliant," said Natasha. "The self-defense claim is easy enough to prove, and by taking the blame, he's shutting down the case so they won't keep looking for who did it."
"Bucky, I know you're used to being the one saving Steve's ass, but just this once, I think you better let him save yours," said Sam.